Menter Môn established in 1995 is a not for profit company providing solutions to the challenges facing rural Wales. Menter Môn delivers projects on Anglesey and Gwynedd and also leads on other partnership projects in North Wales Menter Môn has over the last 23 years worked with businesses, communities and individuals, to deliver meaningful projects, funded by a variety of sources, mostly EU, that harness their strengths and contribute to a sustainable future. We embrace and recognise the value of our resources and seek to add value for the benefit of the community. These include our natural and built environment, our cultural heritage, our agricultural and food sectors and most importantly our people. I am currently a coordinator for both the Enterprising Solutions and Renew Wales programme. We have consistently worked with new and existing social enterprises, mostly on heritage and cultural projects, however due to the LEADER programme there is a real shift on Anglesey regarding Climate Change with several communities looking at possible solutions, from low Carbon Homes to a Grow with me project. These groups currently have no real expertise and would benefit from the Mentor support and networks that Renew can offer. This also helps Menter Môn to deliver strong messages for Changing Heart’s and Mind’s and continue to make a difference to our communities, businesses and people.

Why are you drawn to this area of work, and how have you helped community groups take action in the past?

I am an Enterprising Solutions coordinator and the programme is working well on Anglesey. The groups that I am working with are moving into looking at climate change, what they can do to make a difference to their communities. We have groups looking at community transport using electric buses, a pilot LEADER project looking at low Carbon homes, energy saving and waste reduction. We have worked with a group involved in partnerships with E.E and Scottish Power, also a plastic free project in Beaumaris. Currently we can buy in the expertise, but that only goes so far, Menter Môn wish to ensure that people understand climate change and the opportunities and benefits that It brings.

It is true we on Anglesey are in our infancy, there is a need at grass roots for Mentors, people who can Mentor a group and make a difference as the Enterprising Solutions programme has done. I do have extensive contact list and knowledge of the Island, groups do contact me when they have an idea or need help, I can and have encouraged groups to look at piloting solutions to issues including how to mitigate Climate Change.

What’s your vision ofthe area where you live and/or work in 2050? What will have changed and how will we have got there?

In 2050, I would hope that communities have understood and adapted to current climate change issues and have:

• More secure facility locations and infrastructure- no broadband or IT issues
• Better social care -IT based, SMART, less disease, cure’s for mobility, health problems Restored landscapes and reforestation- natural habitats protected and enhanced
• Being better prepared for possible natural catastrophes- environmental plans actioned
• Being self-sufficient- growing and sharing own produce and looking at ‘future foods’
• Making use of natural resources- electric and solar transportation, shared transport, cycling walking

The only way to reach this goal is to introduce people to the effects of climate change, really understand the issues, learn by example and reap the benefits, hearts and minds are not won if real benefits aren’t achieved. Working with programmes like Renew Wales will aid this process, by raising awareness and peer support, learning by example and sharing that knowledge.